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Dog Walker Wanted Devon
No. of Applicants: 2
Pay: £ Negotiable
Applications Close: 18th December 2014
Job Specifics
Posted On: 29th November 2014
Location: Chudleigh, Devon
Job Starts: 19/01/2015
Duration: Monday - Friday
Employer: Susie
About the Dog(s)
Dog(s) Name: Barney
Breed: Westie
Size: Small
Temper: Sweet but slow, dogs bounding up to him can surprise him
Requirements
Dog Walker
- Want dog(s) to be walked alone
- Overnight stays required at Sitters house
- Holiday sitting required at Sitters house
Details:
Barney is a 13 year old Westie who is starting to lose his hearing and some eye sight. He's a sweet natured little boy who loves cuddles and walks and can still be quite quick on lead, but once we get to grass it's now very slow progress as every clump has be fully investigated as to whether or not it's worthy of him cocking his leg up on it!
He used to be fantastic around other dogs and as a dog trainer myself he got used as the bait dog with aggressive dogs to help them socialise with a nice dog. With the loss of his hearing and not full vision now, unless a dog approaches from directly in front they tend to surprise him, make him jump and he can be a little grumbly with them as he recovers from the shock. I'm working on this by giving him a treat for looking at me rather than focusing on the dog to help minimise this reaction. His recall was always excellent and to be honest it still is, but the problem I have now is if he loses sight of me by facing the wrong way - he just bolts forwards trying to find me and I have to chase after him to get him back, so I'm trying not to need to call him, but just regularly look out for me and find me of his own accord for a bit of kibble. I wouldn't expect you to keep this up though as you do need to be on the ball, so to keep him on a flexi lead would be fine just to prevent any issues.
Scavenging has become an issue now just because he sniffs everything now rather than looking up, so no food goes unnoticed and he's got quite a sensitive stomach and generally gets sick that evening from anything he's snapped up, so I just have to watch out best I can and accept the odd bout of vomiting if I wasn't quick enough (there is warning with this and I can get him outside in plenty of time, so your home or car is not at risk).
He could be walked on his own or with other dogs, but due to his slow speed now and dislike of youngsters bouncing all round him if it was a group walk it would need to be with a seniors pack or calmer dogs that leave him be to sniff and accept his slower pace!
I walk him for 45 minutes before leaving for work around 7.30am. He generally sleeps all day and doesn't wake up before 4pm, I myself may not be home until 7-8pm in my new job that starts on 19/1/15, so really I'm looking for him to be walked daily Monday - Friday for 30 minutes or an hour (could you please quote for both) between 3pm - 4.30pm really rather than 10.30am as that would be too early when he'd happily be asleep then anyway.
I've just secured a rental house on Walnut Close in Chudleigh TQ13 0QB right next to a small park, which could be used to walk him if that's easiest, but likewise I'm happy if he's popped in a car / van and driven elsewhere.
For daily dog walking Monday - Friday, Please could you also specify what cover you offer if you were away on holiday or taken ill suddenly?
Also as I'm relocating from Essex to Chudleigh mid-late December 2014 and have no doggy support system there, so not only will I need a Mon-Fri daily dog walker, there will also be periods when I have to go to college, or stay with clients to train them and could need the odd weekend or week to board him out. I do not want this to be in kennels and for this I am looking for a quiet household (he's great with children, but based on his age now teenagers upwards would be less hectic for him rather than toddlers) where he is the only dog and no cats (other smaller pets e.g. gerbils are no issue) and he can get walks and belly rubs and lap cuddles.
I have to attend college away from home 02/02/14 for 4 days which would be the first date I need to have covered, so would like to have a place sorted for him and know that he has met you and is happy in your home before I actually start my new job on 19th Jan, so I'll be looking to meet and make a decision early January on this, so I can start my job knowing I have all my little old boys needs all sorted by then.
After this initial date in February the next dates I definitely need covered are:
18th May 2015 - 5 June, possibly including the weekends.
10th - 28th August 2015, not including weekends
( I know my work calendar that far in advance!), plus odd weekends in between which can be agreed when they come up based on your availability.
Please don't apply for the dog sitting, if you know you definitely cannot cover all of the periods specified in February, May and August 2015. If you can, please provide a quote for this if you are able to provide this service as part of being his walker or as a separate service altogether if you don't do daily dog walking.
Thanks for looking at this and I look forward to hearing from you soon on either the daily dog walking, dog sitting or both..
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